“But I want Miss Alex to,” Willow protested.
“I don’t think there’s a reason why we both can’t walk her home. Do you?”
He shook his blond head. “No, ma’am.”
I extended my hand. “I’m Alexandra.”
Hesitating, he glanced left and right before accepting my hand. “Archer.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He then stepped aside for us to go out the door. As Willow led me down the gravel pathway, Archer hung back, giving us our space. Willow jabbered about who lived in each of the simple houses. Of course, I had no idea who anyone in the club was. Apparently, Deacon and his brothers each had a house of their own, along with their mother.
“But we always eat together. Grandma says it’s because the boys can’t cook.”
I laughed. “That’s not too surprising.”
Deacon’s mother’s house was at the end of the pathway. It sat in the middle of a small cul-de-sac. Multicolored flower beds brightened the front of the porch. I hurried to keep up with Willow, who dropped my hand and bounded up the stairs. When I got onto the porch, I turned around to see Archer at the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks for seeing us home,” I said.
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Come on, Miss Alex,” Willow cried, grabbing my hand. She barreled through the front door, dragging me behind her. “Grandma, I’m home!” she called.
“I’m in the kitchen, sugar,” a kind voice replied.
When she turned around, Beth jumped at the sight of me. The last time we had met was a month ago at the Meet and Greet. As her hand swept to her chest, she gave me an apologetic smile. “Oh, Miss Evans, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“And I’m sorry for startling you. I just wanted to walk Willow home. I wasn’t expecting to come in.”
“Oh, but I’m glad you did.”
We were interrupted by the back door banging open. Deacon appeared first, followed by Rev. I watched in surprise as another young man came in last, closing the door behind him. At the sight of me, a grin curved on his handsome face. “Well, well, I finally get to formally meet the famous Miss Evans.”
Warmth filled my cheeks at his words and the way he was looking at me. The fiery intensity of his stare was burning the clothes right from my body, leaving me naked before him. “I’d hardly say I was famous,” I argued.
“In the rug rat’s eyes you are,” he replied.
“What do you mean ‘formally meet’?” I asked.
“Oh, I saw you at the clubhouse the first day you came. You know, when my asshole of a brother had you by the throat.”
I gasped at the memory while Deacon slapped the guy on the back. “This is my youngest brother, Benjamin.”
“That’s Bishop, actually,” the blond god corrected, throwing out his hand.
The moment our hands met, I suddenly remembered the sounds of sex and Willow’s words about Uncle Bishop exercising. “Did you have a nice workout?” I blurted before I could think better of it.
His brows knitted in confusion. “Huh?”
“Never mind,” I replied. When I met Deacon’s eyes, amusement shone in them. Unlike his clueless brother, he knew exactly what I had heard and what Willow had told me. With my embarrassment growing, I knew I needed to get out of there. “Well, I guess I better head home.”
“Stay for supper,” Beth said.
“Oh, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t.”
“’Cause you got a man you gotta get back home to?” Bishop asked, sidestepping by me to head to the kitchen sink.
As he lathered up his hands, I could feel both Deacon and Rev’s inquisitive gazes burning into me. “No, it’s nothing like that,” I replied, feeling warmth creeping up my neck and flooding my cheeks.
Glancing over his shoulder, he asked, “Kids?”
“No. It’s just me. Well, me and my dog.”
After drying his hands, Bishop leaned back against the counter and shot me an impish grin. “Sounds to me like you ain’t got a reason not to stay.” As I opened my mouth to protest, he reached over to steal a piece of ham. Beth swatted his hand before shooing him away.
Then, with a no-nonsense look, she pointed at me with her carving knife. “Benjamin is right. Besides, it’s late. You’ve worked double time today, and you need a good, home-cooked meal.”
“I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” I protested.
Willow tugged at my hand. “Oh, please stay, Miss Alex!”
I couldn’t help laughing at her enthusiasm. “Aren’t you tired of me yet?”
“Nope. You should spend the night, too!”
A wicked grin curved on Bishop’s face. “Can she stay in my room?”
My mouth gaped open at his audaciousness while Willow shook her head. “No, Uncle B. She stays with me.”
Bishop winked at me. “I may fight you for her.”
Before I could respond, Deacon smacked the back of Bishop’s head. “Knock it off,” he warned.
“Hey, can I help it if I think Miss Alex is hot?”
As Deacon and Bishop began exchanging words in a low tone, Willow tugged my hand again, bringing my attention back to her rather than the very alluring Malloy brothers. I couldn’t help feeling flattered at the attention of the two handsome men. Of course, Deacon’s angry growls kept me in check.